What Are the World Cup’s Options If Iran Backs Out?

Iran’s request to play its World Cup matches outside the US has left teams, organizers and fans in limbo.

Never before has a World Cup host been in a state of armed conflict with the nation of a participating team, and Iran’s demand has created a thorny problem for tournament organizer FIFA. Iran has asked to play its games in co-host Mexico instead of in the US. But that presents logistical challenges that would be difficult to overcome so soon before the competition, and FIFA has so far refused to contemplate a last-minute scheduling reshuffle.